Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-04
THE COMMITTEES.
What was Done at Waterways Meeting
LEGAL AFFAIRS.

The Committee on Legal Affairs gave an
extended hearing in Representatives Hall
yesterday to the petitioners for law raising
the age of consent at which girls NAV consent
to their ruin Many prominent ladies were
present IN the hall. Mrs. l.. NJ N. Stevens
was the first speaker, and said the ladies
came there tor the protection of their homes
and society. asking that the age under which
girl can consent shall be raised from 10
years, as at present, to Is years. She was
also willing that the age OF boys should be
placed at Is or even higher. The following
speakers followed, advocating The raising Of
the age: Mrs. DR.. Bashford, Mrs. DR.. Her
som, Mrs Mayor Chapman, DR. Blanchard,
Rev ID. w. LeLacheur, Portland; Rev. Mr..
White, Rev Mr.. Jordan, Mrs. Williams,
Augusta. few minutes after the p. NJ.
train arrived, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the
celebrated exponent of woman suffrage, came
in and appea ed in favor Of the petitioners.
She cited the fact that while girl could
not, under the law, sell even an article of
clothing in her possession, yet she could
legally dispose of her honor, which was
worth more than all else to her. In Massa-
chusetts the age had been raised to Is years
and the ladies were very well satlsti. with
the law. The charge had been made. she
said, that wicked girls would use the law as
there would be any cases OF this kind where
good men were concerned. The question
was raised by member of the committee
that the raising of the age high would
interfere with the marriage contract. let
ter favoring the Is year limitation and also
advocating protection for boys. from Judge
Webb of Portland, was read. No action was
taken by the committee, but they will prob
ably vote to fix the age at Ia or 10 years.
Voted ought 10 PISS, to incorporate the Far
minVton Water Co.. same, Portland Sol
diers' and Sailors monument,
JUDICIARY
The case for the len Water Company
was closed by the testimony OF DIR. William
Rogers, +. T. Hamor, f. II Winsh p, Bar
Harbor; + A. Wilson, Bangor.
The Rodicks then opened their case and
MIR. Fountain Rodlck took the stand.
The committee adj burned to meet again
this afternoon.
COMMITTEE ON STATE Prison.
Voted to report a bill authorizing the Gov
ernor and Council to contract with the Rock
land Camden Water Company, to furnish
the prison with with water at 81, 800 year.
No action has been taken relative to the con-
wet labor question.
STATE LANDS AND STATE ROADS.
Authorized the land agent to convey lot
No. 80 in Perham Plantation to Chas. S.
Russell to convey lot No. II, II |, in Spring
field to Samuel II. Spaulding; to convey lot
No. 5, in Castle Hill Plantation to VIM. X.
Ramsdell.
FISHERIES AND GAME.
Voted leave for the petitioners PRAYING for
the protection of fish in Benny Eagle Lake, to
bring in a bill tabled ,discontnuance Of ifs
way in the town of Jonesboro. pending the
action of the fish commissioner; leave to re-
port bill, for protection of fish in Mt. Blue
Pond.
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE.
The committee occupied the larger portion
of the afternoon in hearings on the petition to
incorporate the Sullivan Ferry Co. also the
Norwood Cove, Dam and Ice Co.
The petitioners for additional law relative
to hawk and pedlers were given leave to
withdraw.
COMMITTEE ON Towns.
The committee postponed their hearing on
the division of the town of Pttston until
Tuesday next.
CITY Personals.
Mr.. and Mrs ID. c. Robinson of Boston
are in town.
Hon. Joseph T. Woodward is resting at his